Philip Morris USA Files Lawsuits to Stop Importation of Counterfeit Cigarettes.RICHMOND, Va. -- Philip Morris USA Philip Morris USA is the United States tobacco division of Altria Group, Inc. General informationOn January 27, 2003, Philip Morris Companies Inc. changed its name to Altria Group, Inc. Even under this new name, Altria continues to own 100% of Philip Morris USA. filed two lawsuits in federal court yesterday in the Eastern District of New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of against importers, C.H. Rhodes of Flushing, N.Y., and U.S. Sun Star Trading Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y. The lawsuits are aimed at stopping the importation, distribution, and sale of counterfeit cigarettes and the unauthorized use of Philip Morris USA's trademarks. These suits are the result of two seizures by U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a bureau of the United States Department of Homeland Security, is charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. trade laws. at the Port of Newark in 2005 and 2006. In the 2005 seizure, C.H. Rhodes was the importer of record of 12,500 cartons of counterfeit Marlboro[R] cigarettes. In the 2006 seizure, U.S. Sun Star Trading, Inc. was the importer of record of 3,950 cartons of counterfeit Marlboro[R] cigarettes. "Trafficking in counterfeit cigarettes is illegal and we do not want our brands associated with illegal activity," said Charlie Whitaker, vice president, Compliance and Brand Integrity, Philip Morris USA. "We will take action to protect our brands and the legitimate channels through which our products are distributed and sold." Philip Morris USA pursues numerous strategies to address the sale of counterfeit, illegally imported, stolen and untaxed Adj. 1. untaxed - (of goods or funds) not taxed; "tax-exempt bonds"; "an untaxed expense account" tax-exempt, tax-free nontaxable, exempt - (of goods or funds) not subject to taxation; "the funds of nonprofit organizations are nontaxable"; "income exempt or under-taxed cigarettes. The company actively supports the efforts of authorities to enforce laws related to cigarette trade; advocates for enhanced federal and state legislation to address the sale of contraband cigarettes; and pursues litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. or other actions against those who violate Philip Morris USA trademark rights, contracts or trade policies. Over the past four years, Philip Morris USA has filed 29 cases against counterfeit importers in federal courts in California, Florida, New York Florida is the name of some places in the U.S. state of New York:
Philip Morris USA is an operating company of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :MO). For more information about Philip Morris USA, our programs and positions on tobacco-related issues, please visit us at www.philipmorrisusa.com. |
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